LXKXIII.] 
OF SELBORNE. 
227 
Small Teasel (Dipsacus pilosiis), in the Short and Long Lithe. 
Narrow-leaved, or Wild Lathyrus (Lathyrus sylvestris), in the bushes at 
the foot of the Short Lith, near the path. 
Ladies' Traces (Ophrys spiralis), in the Long Lithe, and towards the south 
corner of the common. 
Birds' Nest Ophrys {Ophrys nidus avis), in the Long Lithe, under the shady 
beeches among the dead leaves ; in Great Dorton among the bushes, and on 
the Hanger plentifully. 
Helleborine {Serapias latifolia), in the High-wood under the shady 
beeches. 
Spurge Laurel {Daphiie laureola), in Selborne-hanger and the High- 
wood. 
The Mezereon {Daphne mezereum), in Selborne-hanger, among the shrubs 
at the south-east end above the cottages. 
Truffles {Lycoperdon tuber), in the Hanger and the High-wood. 
Dwarf Elder, Walwort or Danewort {Samhucus ebulus), among the rubbish 
and ruined foundations of the Priory. 
Of all the propensities of plants none seem more strange than 
their different periods of blossoming. Some produce their flowers 
in the winter, or very first dawnings of spring ; many wdien the 
spring is established ; some at midsummer, and some not till 
autumn. When we see the Helleborus fmtidus and Hdleboriis 
niger blowing at Christmas, the Helleborus hyemcdis in January, 
and the Helklorus viridis as soon as ever it emerges out of the 
ground, we do not wonder, because they are kindred plants that 
we expect should keep pace the one with the other. But other 
congenerous vegetables differ so widely in their time of flower- 
ing, that we cannot but admire. I shall only instance at present 
in the Crocus sativics, the vernal and the autumnal crocus, which 
have such an affinity, that the best botanists only make them 
varieties of the same genus, of which there is only one species ; 
not being able to discern any difference in the corolla, or in the 
internal structure. Yet the vernal crocus expands its flowers 
by the beginning of March at farthest, and often even in very 
rigorous weather ; they cannot be retarded but by some violence 
offered : — while the autumnal (the Saffron) defies the influence 
of the spring and summer, and will not blow till most plants 
begin to fade and run to seed. This circumstance is one of the 
wonders of the creation, little noticed because a common occur- 
rence : yet it ought not to be overlooked because it is familiar 
Q 2 
